The 34rd Annual Germanfest Picnic in Dayton was RiverScape MetroPark for the first time in the event’s history. The picnic, hosted by the Dayton Liederkranz-Turner club, took place Aug. 11-13 and proved to be a fun way to spend the weekend in the Gem City. (TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTED)
(Tom Gilliam)

Dayton’s Liederkranz-Turner club has all the bier, schnitzel and Oompa-pa bands one can take.

Why go: Dive into kibbee, kafta, baklawa, shawarma and other handmade Lebanese foods at this beloved festival. There will be dance, cultural displays and amusement park rides. There will be a Catholic Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26.

Delicious food, craft beer, wine and bocce ball attracted as many as 50,000 people to Bella Villa Hall in Beavercreek for the annual Italian Fall Festa. PHOTOS BY TOM GIlLIAM
(Tom Gilliam/Tom Gilliam)

Gelato, spaghetti and all the meatballs, muffaletta sandwiches and homemade calzones are among the delicious treats that will be found at the 41st annual festival.

In 2014, the festival required about 600 gallons of sauce, 20,000 meatballs and 9,400 sausages and about 900 volunteers to put on.

There will be a Meatball Madness 5K, children’s games, bocce, live music, a spaghetti eating contest, beer, wine, Italian drinks, dancing and daily featured dinners at the event sponsored by the John Pirelli Lodge #1633.

A pre-Festa lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, by calling 937-258-3600

The 17th annual Dayton Hispanic Heritage Festival took place on Saturday, Sept. 16 at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton. The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization (PACO) family-friendly event included a parade, food, drinks and live music representing several countries. TOM GILLIAM / STAFF
(Tom Gilliam)

Organized by Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization (PACO) Latino, the celebration partners with URS Rubber Duck Regetta and includes a children area, food vendors, a Latin karaoke competition, zumba and games.

The Dayton Art Institute held its 46th annual Oktoberfest celebration last weekend, Sept. 22 to 24 on the grounds of the museum, located at 456 Belmonte Park N. in Dayton. As one of the Dayton-area's biggest festivals, Oktoberfest typically draws more than 25,000 people to the museum grounds during the weekend. TOM GILLIAM / STAFF
(Tom Gilliam/Tom Gilliam)

Why go: Art, beer, bands, brats and Bavarian roasted nuts. There is a reason so many people collect Oktoberfest beer steins and T-shirts each year. So many great memories are created at Oktoberfest, a fundraiser for the DAI that has attracted 875,000 and has raised more than $5 million since its inception in 1972.